Sporting News' Bill Bender gives out its AFC and NFC Championship round picks and predictions for the 2026 playoffs.

The NFC and AFC championship games are set for Jan. 25. Here is the full NFL playoffs schedule and bracket right through Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8.

As the Los Angeles Rams prepare for the divisional round, the 2026 NFL draft draws nearer. L.A. currently owns 10 picks: Two in the first round, two in the third round, one in the fifth round, two in the sixth round and three in the seventh round.

Getting the top seed in each conference is a big edge, clearly.

The conference championship games are now set after the Los Angeles Rams took down the Chicago Bears, 20-17, in overtime. They'll take on the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game next Sunday. The Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers in a blowout on Saturday.

The Dallas Cowboys have two picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Could one of those be used on Ohio State safety Caleb Downs?

From Texans QB C.J. Stroud's implosion to the Rams regrouping against the Bears in overtime, the NFL playoffs' divisional round had plenty of twists.

Teams coming off wild-card comebacks will meet in the 2026 NFL divisional round as the Los Angeles Rams visit the Chicago Bears on Sunday. This matchup will complete the final four teams of the 2026 NFL playoffs.

The Patriots are coming off a 28-16 win over the Houston Texans and the Broncos are coming off a 33-30 overtime win against the Bills. Denver leads the all-time series against New England 31-24, including wins at home in the 2015 and 2013 AFC Championship games.

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams sent the NFC Divisional Round game vs. the Rams into overtime, as they eventually lost 20-17. But how they got there was simply unbelievable.